Less of me...

So, after the evil lunges of Wednesday morning my legs were very very :o(
I didn't get back to the gym until today.
Had planned to go yesterday but was not feeling very well at all.
So I went in today instead.
Warmed up on the treadmill, then did my weight work for around 20-25 minutes, then managed 5 minutes on the treadclimber.
After stretches I went in and weighed myself.

112.1kgs!!
Wooooo hooooo to me!
I've somehow managed to get rid of 1.2kg this week.
I'm sure it's due to my eating less or even eating more regularly with the Lite'n'Easy stuff - you know, now my body has to start eating itself a bit more.
I'm also sure it will not be this easy the whole way down to the 80kg I want to weight by the end of 2009, but it is definitely a nice feeling to have gotten off the 115-116kg mark where I've been for the last 18 months.

RESULT!

-2.2kg this week. Though I think some of that was off last week and maybe I jumped on the scales with a full stomach or something.

Was running up the stairs a few afternoons ago and felt like my jeans were going to fall off. I guess that's a good thing.

Highlight of my week was yesterday. I had the best lemon sorbet ever. And I didn't go to the gym either. Clearly yesterday was reward day.

ohhhhh my thighs hurt!!!!

ow ow ow ow ow ow ow.

Lunges are of the devil.

First PT session yesterday morning around 8am.
And now at 11:15am my inner thigh muscles... you know, the ones towards the top of your thigh? Anyway, those ones - HURT!!!

But I'll go back tomorrow after work and get them moving again. Hell, I may even head in this arvo... depends how the housework goes.

First official weight in...

I procrastinated about this morning.
I don't know why.
I mean, I really wanted to go to the gym.
But I got up late, I faffed about with breakfast and getting into gym gear, so it was nearly 11am before I walked through the gym doors.

I decided to go with a weight training session today. 5 minute warm up on the treadmill and then into the weights area. 2x15 reps on the leg press and the shoulder press plus 1x15 reps on the shoulder pull-down thingy and 1x15 on the compound rowing machine. I figured I should do weights today so tomorrow is just a treadmill type of day and then Wednesday is my first PT morning and that might involve some weights work and you're supposed to have a day "off" between weight work.

The best news though was that at the end of the session I went and weighed myself. I thought I was still around the 115-117kg mark (it's where I've been 'sitting' for the last 18 months or so) but according to the scales I'm currently sitting at around 113.3kg!!!

There were some big smiles on my face!

Sometimes you just start slow...

I went to the gym on Thursday for my orientation appointment.
I got to "play" on the various machines for cardio work - like rowing machines and cross trainers - and on the variety of weight machines for working leg and arm muscles... hopefully building up lovely lean muscles somewhere down the track.

Haven't been back yet as I was at work all day Friday and came straight home so I could hang out with my sister as she's in town from Perth, and then today I was seriously feeling the rotten cold virus thing that's set up camp in my throat this past week and a bit. That said, I will be heading into the gym tomorrow for a nice 30 minute walk on the treadmill! Definitely. And my once-a-week PT starts on Wednesday morning at 8am, which means I need to be there at least 15 minutes before that to do some warm up walking on the treadmill or maybe on the cross trainer before I meet M and find out just how 'mean' she's going to be. I'm hoping for really really really mean.

And I'll weigh myself then too. See where I'm at...

Not a good week

This week wasn't as physically tough as last week. I was at the gym most days, and took Thursday off. I shouldn't have. I felt so heavy all day. Friday when I did my weigh in I'd only lost .3 of a kg. Not good, but better than putting weight on I guess.

I didn't have a personal training session this week. PT was sick. I'm going to do my weigh ins the day after training from now on. It would be way too hard to go into a session and give it my best if I am disappointed with my weigh in.

-0.9kg

So the gym is going quite well. Its been a week and I've been five days, for an hour or so each time.

It was difficult to begin with. I hurt. It was easy to get to sleep but difficult to get up in the morning.

MONDAY:
Went to the gym pretty much straight after work. I felt tired, but good. Attempted to go to dance class after and had an epic fail. I was tripping over my own feet. Decided to drop all but Monday night classes and concentrate on the gym instead. My dance instructor was ok with it. I'm cutting out of a class that's just started, and he doesn't usually let people do that. Had to go home and cook rice for tomorrows dinner and didn't get to bed til late. Absolutely exhausted.

TUESDAY:
Absolutely stuffed all day. Went to gym as per usual. In bed a bit earlier.

WEDNESDAY:
Very difficult to get out of bed this morning. I had chips with lunch. So had to do extra cardio. It hurt and I hated it. I despise the cross trainer and always jump on it first, just to get it out of the way. From here on in, I'll have to weigh up my options - I can have nasties, but only if I do extra cardio. I don't think it will be really worth it most times, so will be an effective deterrent.

The gym seems to becoming a habit. I may not want to walk out the door, but once I have my (gay, dorky) backpack on, its automatic. Plus when I get there its all on autopilot. I'm beginning to see how gym junkies work.

Didn't feel like eating when I got home, but made myself a small meal of peri-peri marinated chicken and steamed broccoli and carrots. Very late to bed. Won't want to get out of bed tomorrow.

THURSDAY:
Out of bed fine today. Must say I was surprised. I think I'm starting to get used to the work out. Had a banana whilst running around getting ready for work, and then some toast when I got to work. My arm hurts most of the day from chest presses. I'm still trying to figure out which weight works best for me. Also good news - no muffin top today!!! Granted it is in yesterdays jeans, so they might have stretched a little.

No gym tonight. I wanted to go, but I know I need to give my body a rest. I feel a little guilty. My other rest day will be Mondays, when I'm at dance class.

In bed by early/normal time.

FRIDAY:
Difficult to get out of bed this morning. But I guess that might be because its Friday and I just want to sleep.

Had a session with the personal trainer tonight. Jumped on the scales pre warm up. Lost 0.0kg. I was a bit disappointed after the amount of work I'd been doing, but as I type this I'm stoked. Did a bit of boxing, some interval training and then sit ups. The sit ups were an epic fail. EPIC. But we were laughing most of the way through, and it was really fun.

One down...

I did it.

Admittedly it took me two more days than planned but still I have joined my local gym! My membership starts as of tomorrow morning. I went for the membership that gets me a session with a Personal Trainer once a week every week of my 12 months membership. COz I know I need that extra help.

You should see inside this place!
Wow.
Have any of you guys been inside a Fernwood?
Coz... DAMN!
It's sooooo nice.
The change room is so clean and... well, girlie.
And I actually like that it is a women only gym... which is odd coz I thought I wouldn't... you know, no guys to oggle, women being harsh judgemental bitches, and so forth. But I felt really good when I walked in yesterday to have a look and even better when I went back today to sign up!

So now I just need to call Lite'N'Easy.

Later!

So what am I gonna do?

Well, tomorrow morning I'm calling my local Fernwood gym and getting some price details. Let's be honest - unless it is ridiculously priced, I'm gonna join up. It's just down the road so I won't be able to use the whole "Oh it's too far to drive" excuse.

After I've done that I'm calling "Lite'n'Easy" and organise to get the Breakfast and Lunch setup so then I only have to worry about what I'm eating at dinner as far as healthy for me goes. It means one less stress... and stress is a trigger for me to eat crap food.... sooooooo.

I'm Gonna Miss M & M's

Ok, the thought of going and weighing myself for this causes me physical pain- which I suppose is why I'm here right?

*Pause while I run to the bathroom scale*

Gawd- 223 lbs. Weird, I'm in a metric country (Canada) but I don't know how to convert that. Anyhow that was crazy depressing.

I think my journey, while wanting to lose weight, is to also love myself regardless of whether or not I ever lose an ounce.

Although the fact that I was handed a slice of chocolate cheesecake when I got to work today - regardless of how nice it was to be thought of, won't really be helping me.

So: I am now bussing to work, which involves a lot more walking to and from bus stops. I also work in a HUGE institution now that involves more stairs and long distances to get to other people's offices/departments. So that should help.

AND, I should also fall in love with my workout DVDs again. I cannot promise the gym, as I hate hate hate it there. Makes me feel crappy about myself.

As for food- maybe more home-made meals, fewer M&M's. It's all about baby steps, right?

Thanks for letting me be a part of this group ladies!

Princess of the Universe
xo

And I'm the other one...

Go Steph!
Well, I'm going to be a little behind you on getting things going - but I will get them going.
Dunno about joining a gym... I need to have a look at what gyms are around here. I do miss going to the gym; I used to go to one back in Rocko. I've been so slack... I haven't even been going walking with anything resembling regularity.

So my current stats? Hmmm, well, the last time I stepped on a scale was around a month ago and I was around the 115-116kg mark. I don't know my measurements at this point but I'll put them up when I get them, promise.

Oh - and for anyone reading this who isn't Steph ...

Hi, I'm MissE.
Steph kindly invited me to join her on this mission to get ourselves healthy and slimmer than we currently are.
I'm 33 and I'm doing this because I want to feel good about myself. Like Steph, I want guys to check me out, not coz my arse is its own planetoid but because I look 'hot' and fabulous! But mainly I want to not hate myself even a little bit when I lok in the mirror. I want to be able to walk into an ordinary clothing store and not search for the XXL or even the XL... I want rid of the X's!
Currently I am anything from a 16-20 depending on where I am shopping... I mostly shop in the clothes stores that cater for the "big girl" and it kinda sucks because they tend to stock a lot of ugly-fracking clothes.

Anyway - I'll be back soon!

Beginning

I had my first gym visit on Friday.

Weight: 96.4kg, clothed.

I got all of my measurements done, but I don't have them on me. I'll update the sidebar when I get them.

I had a personal trainer too. He's very easy on the eyes, and seems nice. I don't know if he's going to push me as much as I'd like, but I'm pretty willing, so I guess right now I don't need it. I did end up feeling worn in at the end of my session, and I went back and did another 15min of cardio before I left.

I really liked it and can't wait to get back there.

****
Second visit today. Did it all by myself. I like my gym. It feels quite comfortable. Its big. But its still comfortable. And clean. Which is very important! 20 minutes mixed cardio, a little weights (3x 3 lots of 15 reps), then 20 minutes more cardio.

I was pretty worn in when I left. I could have kept going, but once I stopped I realised I was knackered. 3 hours later and I want to to back again :$

Sugar cravings

OMG!!! If you're likely to demolish a block of chocolate from sugar cravings, get your butt (or mouse) here.

I picked up some sweet flavoured teas today while in the city. One pot (2 cups) of creme brulee flavoured tea and no more chocolate cravings. I feel full and like I've satisfied my craving. Full of tea goodness too.

Flavours on my WANT list are
Creme Brulee
Red choc mint
Strawberries and cream
Sencha
Honey green almond
Something Rose flavoured
Something vanilla flavoured
Mint mix

I had a sniff of the mint mix, and it smells strong enough to burn the hair out of your nose. YUM

In the beginning

So here I am. I guess this is the post where I spill my lardy soul. Why do I want to lose weight seems to be the big question. And the big answer is (truthfully) because I'm vain. I have lost a lot of weight in the past. Its a good thing. I know I can do it. But I've stopped. Its a combo of things and I've decided to start again.

I'm doing this for me. I like the feeling of being active. I recently switched jobs and have been sitting behind a desk for the past three weeks. In the beginning it was fine, I was sick and needed to chill out. But now I'm better and I feel like I'm going to POP by mid afternoon.

I don't fit into my jeans anymore.

I'm doing this because I like the feeling of being active. Life just seems... better.

I want to lose weight. That's my aim. My goal is to lose 15kg by new year. A totally manageable goal. Ideally I'd like to lose 20kg, but that is a dream. If I hit 15kg I'll set new goals.

My little goals... I have those. My first goal is to fit into my old jeans. Then I want to fit into them with no muffin top. Then I want to team those jeans with a green singlet that I sooo love, but is tight. That should take me to my pre christmas weight. And its a good start.

From there my immediate goals go in 5kg increments. I want appropriately wear size 16 jeans, and then into size 14 jeans. I don't aspire to size 12. That's too far away right now and would be easy to lose sight of.

I want to turn heads when I go past. I want guys to notice me. Not because I want them, but because its my right as a female. I have asked everybody to send me copies of any pics they have of me circa christmas. I'm going to put them into my phone. So if I ever go out and start umming and ahhing about healthy vs greasy, I can simply open my phone and see a pic to reinforce my willpower. I'm going to take a picture of my singlet top and put it on the fridge, to stop browsing behaviour.

Its going to be a long, hard slog. Outside the gym I intend to chose healthy options. My eating style at home won't change much. Its already pretty healthy, but not perfect. Hey, a girl's gotta be happy! I intend to make smarter choices when I go out for lunch and dinners. Starting now.

What I want from this blog.

This is a private space where we can all go through the weight loss journey together. There are a few things that I will insist upon, but ultimately the choice is yours as to whether you'd like to do them.

I would really like people to write a short introduction when they join this blog - why you want to lose weight, why now is the right time, your ultimate goal and quite a lot of short term goals. I would really like people to post once a week/fortnight (as they see fit) with weights, measurements (if you're doing measurements) and a quick summary of the week. I think it would be a great idea if we all wrote something positive about our weight loss week. Once a month a full body pic would show us just how far we're going.

I would like this to be a place of support. If you're struggling you can turn to us here. Sometimes its nice to use this blog to empty your head. I'd like it if we could use this place to swap recipes and tips. I don't think this blog would be best used for calorie counting or as a food diary.

I want this blog to be positive. Its going to be an uphill battle. Its going to be hard work and there are times when you're going to want to give up. The outcome is worth the fight though. If you have the time/money/motivation to see it through. I don't want people to berate themselves or feel guilty for slipping up. It happens. Enjoy the moment and get back to eating healthy tomorrow.

I would also like it if we could group our blog posts together via tags. (e.g phishez - results, recipes, tips)

This blog is for all contributors. Ultimately I want everyone here to be comfortable. What I want isn't the final say. So, are you still interested?

Email me at phishez_rule@hotmail.com if you want to join.

In the beginning.

In the beginning there were huge thighs. A gigantic flabby belly, and a butt so wide it didn't even resemble a butt.

Then came stress. And weight loss happened. Now the weight loss has stopped.

This is my journey.